I am a world class klutz. I've never been coordinated, athletic, or graceful by any means but one thing I've always done too well is fall down. Yep it's true. I've fallen down more times and in more embarrassing awkward places than I'd care to admit.
Want proof?
Here's what happened the other night: I was watching television on the sofa. (Sounds dangerous doesn't it?) I had my foot tucked under me, and I didn't realize when I stood up that my foot had fallen sleep. As soon as I took a step on my numb foot, I fell right to the ground. (Actually, I tried to catch myself first, but I still fell.) Jamie asked through his laughter, "Can you get up?"
I said, "I don't know--my foot is still asleep."
Thankfully I could get up and all that was hurt was my pride. How do you fall getting off the sofa???!!!???
But I was able to do it because I'm good at falling down.
Of course there have been other times that weren't so funny--times when I actually hurt myself. And yet, each time, no matter how bloody, how humiliating or how injury laden the fall, there was never a time when I didn't eventually get up. (Obviously, I'm not still lying on the ground).
Sure there were times when I lingered too long in the dirt, and many more times there were tears. But that was never the end of the story. Eventually, I always got up, shook myself off and walked again.
Looking back on my life, I see this pattern is true of more than just physical falls. Along life's journey we all take stumbles, falls, and detours in the wrong direction. (Namely down). Yet, those tumbles cannot be the end of the story. Despite the tears, the heartache, the disappointment, and pain, we all need to choose to get back up and try again.
Today, I don't know what you're facing. Maybe you've just climbed your greatest mountain or maybe you've just fallen into your deepest failure. Perhaps you feel like you've fallen and can't get up.
Trust me when I say you can.
This is not your end. It might be a bad chapter, but you're still writing your story. With the help of the Holy Spirit you can get up again. You can walk on and you can experience victory.
As I'm writing this I'm reminded of a massive failure---a project I thought was God's will that bombed big league. Looking back the most tempting things to do was say "I'll never try that again".
And yet that's exactly what the Holy Spirit wouldn't allow me to do. Within the span of a year, He pushed me into situations where I had to get back up, try again, and using the lessons I learned through the failed project, accomplish two new projects that were His will.
So I understand falling; but I also understand getting up again. Today, I encourage you, if you've taken a stumble; don't let it stop you.
Get back up and keep moving forward.
Don't wallow in the mud of a fall; instead, get up and see what's waiting around the next bend. It may be more than you can imagine.
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry."
“Finding Significance” is a study of Jesus’ life and His interactions with people while He was on earth. As you read you’ll discover that no matter what label the world had placed on people, Jesus spoke words of significance and purpose into their lives. Ultimately, His entrance into their lives changed their entire identity. It’s our hope that as you read this book and answer the study questions, you will be challenged and inspired to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus, that you’ll see yourself through His eyes, and ultimately find that He is the Source of Your Significance. Whether you work through it during your time of devotions, or use it as a group Bible study, we believe this book will speak words of truth, hope, and significance into your life. We just can’t wait to share it with you!!!
